The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-03-02
A GOSSIP'S DEED.

'Nervie," she said, after a moment of
silence, during which the young girl had
turned her face away.
Miss Perkins was one OF the born ag-
grsvators of humanity in general and in
particular Minerva Woodford felt hor-
ribly tempted 10 tell her 20. But Mi
ncrva had wonderful sclf-control for
such smiling azure eyes and thick ma sed,
ungovernable auburn hair. 1t was no
light imposition, this that she had borne
throughout that glorious midsummer af-
tcrnoon; the co rpany of Miss Perkins
Ito tea, the threads Of gossip Miss Per-
kins unrave!cd inch for inch with the
yarn of the great gray balls from which
she was always knitting ugly stockings
for Heaven knew whom and knit up
slowly with her own peculiar skill of mar
iat'ou into a substance quite as ugly and
dnrable as the product of her hauds.
1t was one of Miss Perkins seIf-en-
joined duties to communicate disagree
able tidings. shc felt delightful sense
OF peace and contentmcnt now that she
bad concluded her task Of enlighten;ng
her young and motherless hostess
"Nervie was good girl and hadn't
ought to be deceived leastest," she said
t" herself. ''more specially by such a
worthless cr;tter as that Jason Hawkes."
Il didn't s'pose you'd care so much"
she repeated. with an air of sympathy.
Minerva " as reaching thr ugh the win
dow to break off some of the pink roses
that hung there red-ripe and luscious.
She did not obey her impulse to turn and
speak sharply. She did not say out her
thought. "Nervie! How he hated to
be called "'Nervie!" No one with any
sense called her anythin, but Minnie.
No one but Miss Llvira Perkins. She
wished Miss Perkins would never come
to see her.
She thought all this, but what she said
was milder, as she faced about ca: eltssly
and ood arranging the roses.
II am sure I hardly understand you,
Miss re,kins. Why should you suppose
l cared what was said about Jason
I'awkes2 Surely he has right to marry
whom he pleases"
She mil ght have been a little paler than
u,ual, but her voice was quite steady.
Miss Perkins smiled discrcetly.
"There amt much chance for the
young girls she observed, "when
there's designin' widow come to town.
MIS- Darrell's just got Jason Hawkes.
wound completely round her finger.
'Tisn't that he's so much account, though
if he'd married you, you could've had
good influence. He's altogether too
fond O. ra; e.horScs and such-like evil
doings. But for her to come AMI set
herself up so mightily-why, she amt
once returned your call now, I'll be
bound"
Minerals lovely face flushed painfully
at the reminder. She stcpp.d from sit
ting-room to kitchen aud put some water
in vase for the roses. Her heart
throbbed with great ache, but never
should her caller know it.
Its almost time for father to come
she sa d, qui tly. "I'm going to set the
table now, Miss Perkins. Will You sit
by the door2 I'll bring your chair"
''Oh, law! can manage for myself"
said the elderly maiden, rising in some
hlste to push the wooden rocker before
her over the sill and down the length of
the shining kitchen. 1t was wing of
the house facing the road, and the door
was open.
A sudden hool-bcat and rumble of
wheel, on the soft and yellow, dusty
road. A arriage spun by after certain
well-known pair of ct black horses.
Miss Perkins sent up shrill little cry
of triumph.
II never. There they go; he's driving
her out to the fair grounds. What do
you think OF thlt, 'Aervie?'
But Minerva made no reply.
Miss Perkins turned only to see the
girl slip quietly from the roam.
Miss Perkins sat there alone for con
siderable space. The tea kettle had be-
gun to sing cheerilv. The snowy table,
cloth and the shining glassware had an
invit ng aspect. There was plenty of
Miss Perkins's favolite sauce and sweet
pickle; there was Just the kind of tea
biscuit and cocoanut cake that she dotted
on. she clio ed her eyes and c.aspe1
her hands with sigh of thankfulness
for duty performed and blessings about
to he enjoyed.
Then Minerals father arrived.
"How-dy, Miss Perkinsl" he said.
Where Minnie2"
Minerva reappeared, just little pale
and shadowy around the eyes.
"Here am, father" she said gently;
.'tea is ready. I had something to do,
I'D most forgotten"
Miss Perkins went away just after tea
She did not stop to "help 'Nervie do
the Dishes" rs usual. 1t was getting
dark, and she hnd long walk, she sud
denly remcmb red.
Minerva went about her work quite
unassistcd. Her father was due at some
village meeting, end so presently she
was left alone in the house.
A terrible sense of depression fell upon
her. She wondered if Jason Hawkes.
were coming. She was nuite prepared.
She had cverythln ready to return to
him--his letters and the little pearl ring
he had given her. verything was
wrapped securely; the package wcI too
heavy for her pocket- ute too heavy.
>he wondered if he would come. md
how should she feel after she had given
all back to him and said to him that they
h d better art! She h;.r lily knew. h.
life WAS hard, and bitter! Jao on had
loved her-she knew he had loved her -
until that women had come to the vii
lagc. the "designing widow" as Miss
Perkins lad said Perhaps Miss Perkins
was light.
Minerva finished her work and went
to sit on the porch. The air WAS heavy
wi h tn. scent of rose and honcysucklc